Met police fails to recruit enough women

Efforts by the Metropolitan police are failing to recruit enough women into the police service, according to the deputy chair of the police authority.

Cindy Butts told the Women’s Forum of the Metropolitan Police Service Black Police Association that despite concerted efforts, the Met was still “far from representative of London’s communities”.

She said the culture of the Met meant that women in the service often did not have the confidence to move up in the organisation.

“We are faced with a new dilemma – the ‘sticky floor syndrome’,” she said. “Women who have the talent, skills, experience, qualifications and the all-round ability to succeed and move up the promotion ladder, don’t have the confidence to do so.”